Dear brothers and sisters, peace be to everyone. I am Rev. Dr. Su. Today, let us discuss the second lesson in ‘Revelation of the Gospel’.

What does the Gospel convey? John 1: 1-18 from the ESV Bible tells us a very important message – God has revealed Himself to us. We do not know Him at first, but He enables us to know Him. This is called revelation.

Some people said, “Before the advent of Jesus Christ, there were great religions in the world such as Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and others. Why do we need another Christianity? What are the differences between Christianity and other religions? Must we believe in the gospel that is spread in Christianity?” We must think hard – are all religions the same? If I say, “All religions persuade people to be good, so they are the same.” Do you agree with such a perspective? Of course, we need to re-consider. What are the similarities among the religions?

1. Some similar perspectives and beliefs of all mainstream religions

First of all, all religions believe that people have sins. Some religions call it “ignorance of nirvana”, “a trap that people cannot extricate themselves from”, stubbornness, worshipping of idols or dosa (in Malay). Every religion believes that humans have weaknesses and are imperfect. Sins polluted humans.

Secondly, all religions believe that there is a way for deliverance from sins. Some practise meditation. For instance, Taoism talks about going to mountains for meditation and becoming a fairy. “Fairies” refer to who people practise meditation on mountains (especially in Taishan of China). Some of them are vegetarians, do good works, refrain from murder and perform good deeds every day. This leads to the accumulation of merits so that we can be delivered from sins or be saved.

Thirdly, all religions believe that there is continuation of life after death or have the belief in eternity. In other words, all religions believe that death is not the end of life for there is life after death. If you ask, “Life ends with death”, who told you this? Your spirit tells you that there is life after death. This is the reason why people with folk beliefs or religions have to perform religious rituals for the dead souls and burn things for them. It simply means the other world exists; whatever they need in this world are similar to what they require in that world.

Once, I had the opportunity to be in Zhengzhou of China and the car headed to the direction to Shaolin Monastery. Then, we stopped on our way and I saw a funeral being held so I took a look. There was no different from what we did in Singapore and Malaysia. People in China also burned television, car, house and other things which were made of paper pulp. In other words, people believe that life continues after death. There is afterlife. We will not discuss whether it is right or wrong at this stage now, but all religions believe in eternity.

Fourthly, all religions recognise that there are moral values and doing good deeds is good. Therefore, people always say “All religions persuade people to be good, so all religions are the same.” Indeed, no religions support evil doing such as murder and adultery. Good deeds is being kind whereas evil is bad.

Fifthly, all religions believe that there is supernatural power or the existence of a divine being. Regardless of how you refer Him as, there is one or many gods above us. You can refer Him “the way”, “the heaven”, “God” and others. Even though you use different names, He is the supreme in heaven.

Finally, all religions believe there is final judgement after death. That means life does not conclude after death for there is a so-called imminent cosmic judgment. If not, we will not be able to comprehend lots of unfair issues, for instance, those murderers and drug traffickers enjoying better than lives than ordinary people like us. On the contrary, we cannot accept the fact that some good people die young or prematurely. We believe that ‘good has its reward and evil has its retribution.’ Evil people are unpunished because their time has not yet come. It also means that the final judgement occurs at the end of time.

Dear brothers and sisters, there is a saying in Islam that all will be put on a heavenly scale to weigh each good and evil deed. Those with evil deeds that are heavier than good deeds will go to hell. People with more good deeds go to heaven. I asked a Muslim, “What if they are equally heavy?” He replied, “I have never thought of that so far.” Actually, all religions believe there is ultimate judgement.

So, if all religions have the common beliefs, does it mean that they are the same? Let me explain with another example. If five men have common features that look like my father, does it mean that they are my father? Likewise, no woman says, “all men are the same regardless of who I marry to.” We may have similar features but that does not mean we are the same. Therefore, brothers and sisters, you seem like a ‘supplier’ to religions as you kept saying “all religions are the same.” That shows that you know all religions thoroughly and can supply whatever one asks for because you know everything! But the truth is not like that.

2. Christian perspectives of the Word or God

Dear friends, do you truly know the Christian faith? Let us open our hearts and listen to what the Bible says. We continue to read John 1: 1-4 from the ESV Bible. It mentioned about ‘God’ or ‘Dao’ which means ‘the Word’ in Chinese. What do we know about God or ‘the Word’?

Firstly, there was ‘Dao’ or ‘the Word’ in the beginning as it says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.” But when did it exist? It started from “the beginning”. What does it mean? It implies that it started before time existed; He had already existed in eternity so it was called the very beginning. It also means that His existence did not begin as a result of mankind. Humans have age which is temporality and shows our limits. The finite being cannot create the infinite being so the infinite beginning comes from the infinite being. Thus, the meaning of “beginning” points to the fact that “He had already preexisted before time” because He has also created time.

Who does ‘Dao’ or ‘the Word’ refer to? “The Word was God” (John 1: 1). Why it says “the Word was with God”? It’s because ‘the Word’ refers to another person – God portrayed in Christianity is the Trinitarian God with three persons, namely God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. ‘The Word’ here refers to God the Son, Jesus Christ, as John 1: 14 emphasized “the Word became flesh”. The second person in the Trinitarian God was incarnated, came into the world and was born in the manger. He is Jesus Christ.

Therefore, in the beginning was ‘the Word’. The ‘Word’ was with God the Father. Through ‘Dao’ or ‘the Word’, all creatures were created. “All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1: 3). It means that God has created all living creatures. He is the creator God and is not a created being so He is above all things. Yet, God understood the suffering of people. He loved the people in the world and became flesh to dwell among us. The Bible tells us this point clearly!

Dear brothers and sisters, we do not know the truth at the beginning. When I was a child I did not know who is my father. I got to know this not because of my logical reasoning or intelligence, but my mother clearly told me, “this man is your father.” Or my father told me clearly “I am your father!” Therefore, I address this man as my father from young.

In the same way, people cannot use their wisdom and abilities to know God. God has to become flesh so that we know Him. Just like a father who hopes that his child knows him and a mother, hopes that her child understands her. Today, this creator God is incarnated. The purpose is to enable us to know Him. This is known as the path of revelation.

Therefore, the Word existed in the beginning and is above all. It is incomprehensible and inexpressible. However, He has come to dwell among us, conveyed His Word to us and revealed His works to us. This is known as revelation. In the Old Testament, it was described in ancient Hebrew that it was like someone who wanted to see God in the tabernacle but that was covered with layers of extremely thick and enormous linen curtain. No one could enter the place to see God. However, the high priest could open the linen curtain to meet God inside the place annually. The moment it was opened, it was called revelation.

In the same way, it is impossible for me to go to heaven to know Him today but God, through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, has enabled me to know Him because He revealed Himself to us. This is grace! We need to come humbly to listen to Him and know Him. Amen!

Let us pray together!

Dear God, we thank you. We are finite beings and do not understand the infinite things. We do not know ‘Dao’ which is the ‘Word’ of God. However, you love us and send your only son, Jesus Christ, into the World. He knows us, comes to seek us and reveals the Word of God to us – the Word that existed at the beginning. God, we thank You. Indeed, you have given us humble hearts so that we are willing to hear your Word. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!